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5.56 NATO in Axis 223 ???????????

I'm thinking of getting a Savage Axis in 223 caliber. Bud's internet gun shop lists them as 223 Remington/5.56 NATO. Can 5.56 NATO be used exclusively in a 223 caliber Axis? I've emailed Buds on this weeks ago but haven't received a reply.

I sent Buds the same question back in February of last year and voiced that Savage site listed it as .223 not .223/5.56 and thought they might want to check on that to keep maybe someone from getting hurt or damaging the rifle, and this is part of the response I FINALLY got back from them:

In reference to 223/556, there are as many opinions as shooters. I would follow the manufacturers recommendation for that specific product.

If the barrel says 223 then that is the bottom line

I purchased a very nice Savage Model 25 thinking 223 & 5.56 NATO were interchangeable. When I attempted to shoot Federal 5.56 NATO rounds every other round was a failure to fire and those that did were hard to extract. There were a few other minor issues r/t bases/plastic but I was most livid in my ignorance about the difference between 223 & 5.56 NATO. This experience turned out to make me a "Savage First" rifle buyer. SAVAGE has the absolute best customer service and I have purchased X3 more that shoot flawlessly since buying the Model 25. It is not value, it is the quality & accu-trigger that makes the Savage my first choice. My last being an orange Camo rifle chambered in 9.3X62! Anytime the discussion of 223, 5.56 & Savage come up I have got to mention their excellent customer service and dedication to producing quality rifles. I don't own stock or work for them :-)

If the barrel on the Savage Rifle says 223, then just 223.
I spoke to a VP in Customer Service and that is the bottom line.

BTW, the 223 holds its own.
The 25 from above, which I gave to my Niece because the storm is coming, really likes the 223 Fiocchi with 40gr V-Max tips.
Talk about a flat shooting round that drives tacks out of that rifle.
The factory reports a muzzle velocity of 3650 fps
The 223 Fiocchi also shoots just fine out of my Mini-14 and the AR I just sold.

My advice: Buy a Savage 223 with the accu-trigger and load up on Fiocchi when they are back in stock.